Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Her Heart & What Lies Ahead

Within a few hours after birth, Daphne was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect known as pulmonary atresia with hypoplastic right ventricle. This defect affects the right side of the heart, which is the side of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood from the body and sends it to the lungs to be oxygenated.

A normal heart has four chambers. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and sends it to the left ventricle, which pumps it to the rest of the body. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body and sends it to the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs to be oxygenated. As blood moves through the heart, it passes through valves that allow the blood to move forward but not backward at regular intervals. The pulmonary valve sits between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, which is the artery that leads from the heart to the lungs.

In a child with pulmonary atresia, the pulmonary valve is completely sealed, which prevents deoxygenated blood from returning to the lungs to be oxygenated. As a result of this defect, the right ventricle is unable to perform its natural function during fetal development and becomes hypoplastic, meaning severely underdeveloped. Because blood cannot get to the lungs, this type of heart defect is extremely critical and must be surgically treated soon after birth.

Between birth and surgery, a child with pulmonary atresia is given a drug called Prostaglandin to prevent the ductus arteriosus from closing. The ductus arteriosus is a vein between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that is present during fetal development but naturally disappears soon after birth. This vein provides a temporary solution for getting deoxygenated blood back to the lungs. For a permanent solution, the child must undergo a series of three surgeries to completely bypass the right side of the heart.

The first surgery, which is considered a closed-heart surgery, is performed soon after birth (Daphne’s surgery is scheduled for Thursday, February 3). During this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the child’s side and inserts a BT shunt between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. The BT shunt is a Gore-tex tube that basically performs the same function as the ductus arteriosus, allowing deoxygenated blood access to the lungs. After this surgery, the child no longer needs the ductus arteriosus, and it is allowed to close.

The second and third operations are part of a two-part open-heart surgery. The second surgery, called a Bidirectional Glenn, is performed between 3 months and 1 year, depending on the child’s development. During this procedure, the superior vena cava, which delivers deoxygenated blood from the upper part of the body to the right atrium, is detached from the right atrium and hooked to the right pulmonary artery, allowing this blood to reach the lungs more easily.

The third surgery, called a Fontan Completion, is usually performed between the ages of 3 and 6. During this procedure, the inferior vena cava, which delivers deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body to the right atrium, is detached from the right atrium and a piece of tubing is used to link it to the right pulmonary artery. After this surgery, blood flow to the right side of the heart is completely cut off, and the child lives life with just half of a heart—which is really how she’s been living all along.

The prognosis for this series of surgeries is good. The first children to undergo these procedures are in their twenties and thirties and appear to be living full and happy lives. Although heart surgery is always risky, I feel confident that these surgeries will be able to bless Daphne and help her live long enough to fulfill her mission here on earth. These procedures really are a miracle, because without them she wouldn’t have that opportunity.

4 comments:

Hey its Jamie Moffitt. I just wanted to let you guys know I have been thinking about you!! I am so sorry that you have to go through all of this. I know what you are going through and I will be praying that Daphne has a speedy recovery so you can bring that sweet angel home! You guys are so awesome, she is so lucky to have such wonderful parents!! please call me if you have any questions or anything!!

As a parent of a child who had spent the first years of his life in and out of the hospital and had surgery I can tell you that you are doing a great job. We were so worried for our son when he was in the SICU, but after having my husband give me a blessing it made being there every day for two months just that much easier. And knowing that everyone was praying for us helped also. Being a parent of a child with many medical needs is very trying at times. But if you remember that we are just here to take care of Gods children for the time they are on earth, and that he would never give us any challenge he didn't think we could handle it makes it easier to endure. I'm sure you will learn a lot about your self as a mother as you go through these things with your daughter. She is very beautiful and I wish only the best for you. I will keep you in my prayers always as one mother to another.

Rachel she is an absolute doll. Daphne is so blessed to be in such an amazing family. We are praying that her surgery goes well and you will be able to bring her home soon. Please let me know what I can do to help you.

Daphne Jane Gainer

A Brief, Beautiful Life

Daphne Jane Gainer was born on January 20, 2011, in Birmingham, Alabama. She was adopted one week later by Will and Rachel Gainer, residents of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hours after birth, Daphne was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD) known as pulmonary atresia, which prevents blood from returning to the lungs to receive fresh oxygen and results in a severely underdeveloped right ventricle.

Living with just half a heart, Daphne spent all but three days of her life either in the hospital or on supplemental oxygen. She endured three extended hospital stays, two heart surgeries, one heart catheterization, and countless needle pricks, blood draws, and other tests.

Daphne passed away on March 18, 2011, just hours after undergoing her second heart surgery. Her life on earth lasted just 58 days, but it was both miraculous and inspiring.

This blog is maintained by Daphne's mother, Rachel Gainer. It celebrates Daphne's life, explores the realities of grief, and affirms that death is not the end and families can be together forever.